Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Belen dela Cruz, founder of Belen dela Cruz Empanadas & Pastries, located in Alpharetta, GA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are an Argentinian bakery offering traditional empanadas and pastries. Whoever wants to eat baked homemade food.. should visit us!
Tell us about yourself
Four years ago, I started giving cooking classes. Empanadas wine night. After classes, I would have to answer the same questions.. where can we get empanadas? And my answer was always the same. There is no Argentinian bakery in Atlanta... after two years of classes, my brother pushed me to open our first location together. This was 02/08/2020, right before COVID!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
We didn't only survive COVID, but we also opened two other locations and got our kitchens USDA-certified for wholesale.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Everything! It is as hard as I never imagined! Or we just opened during the most difficult times, making it super hard. We are dealing with big issues, labor/ inflation/ distribution/ COVID. Still, the biggest challenge is dealing with employees and building and growing as a team.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Need to love what you are about to start. If you don’t love it, you won’t be able to go thru it. Small business requires a lot of heart.
- Consistency and tenacity.
- You can start on your own but with time, surround yourself with people that know more than you know.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
So many times, you'll want to give up at night. Take good sleep and fight stronger in the morning!! Don't give up! Talk to small businesses owners. You are not alone!!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://belendelacruz.com/
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3oRmeGO
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belendelacruz_empanadas
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.